Portrait of Michel de Montaigne

Michel de Montaigne books in order

French author, philosopher, and statesman

Lived
1533–1592
Country
France
Books
2

Michel de Montaigne published 1 non-fiction book and 1 other book. The best-known is The Essayes of Montaigne.

Updated September 2026

Where to start with Michel de Montaigne

Non-fiction in order

  1. The Essayes of Montaigne (1600)

    363 pages★ 4.0 (5 ratings)

Other books in order

  1. Essays (1994)

    480 pages

Free to read

All free classics

About Michel de Montaigne

Michel Eyquem, Seigneur de Montaigne, commonly known as just Michel de Montaigne, was one of the most significant writers of the French Renaissance. He is known for popularising the essay as a literary genre. His work is noted for its merging of casual anecdotes and autobiography with intellectual insight. Montaigne had a direct influence on numerous writers of Western literature; his Essais contain some of the most influential essays ever written.

Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

Michel de Montaigne FAQ

How many books has Michel de Montaigne written?
Michel de Montaigne published 1 non-fiction book and 1 other book that we list, as of September 2026.
What order should I read Michel de Montaigne's books in?
Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with The Essayes of Montaigne.
What is Michel de Montaigne's most famous book?
The Essayes of Montaigne is Michel de Montaigne's most widely read book.
Can I read Michel de Montaigne's books for free?
Yes. 24 books by Michel de Montaigne are in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.

Authors like Michel de Montaigne

Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.